Kate's Irrelevant Giveaway.....

What an awesome giveaway is this, for a mumma like me and all the plans I have for 2012. Especially some of those plans I've already been sharing with you all. Since I know that I'm not the only one with big hopes and dreams for 2012, I thought that this giveaway was a must share.

Oh and let's face it, it gets me another entry to the giveaway myself.....but seriously I know others who would love this.

Image source

So with all that being said you must pop on over to Kate's Irrelevant and secure your chance at an entry into this wonderful giveaway.

Flea Market Finds, a little something for little people....

I picked up these two sweeties a few days before the New Year.
A ever so sweet baby girls dress.

And for a little champ this sweet top.

I will be back to my usual thrifting habits when the Big V returns to work later this week. But in the meantime I'm just enjoying family time and hanging onto these moments before the year gets into too much of a whirlwind.

Linking up with Sophie as always and checking out everyone's finds for the start of the year.

TwentyTwelve....

What an amazing year 2011 has been. Without a doubt the best thing to happen this year was the birth of Little V on February 17th. She has expanded my heart, my love and my healing to measures I would never had imagined.

Here she is a day old.

It hasn't been the easiest of times finding a groove with two little Vowers just under two years apart. But despite the trials and woes we have had with Little V, I have slowly been able to carve a path and direction here and with my business. I had all the hair brained schemes in the world that I would have been selling at markets and all sorts by now. But it just has not been possible. I'm grateful though, because coming into 2012 my hopes, dreams, plans and desires with My Vintage Vow are more defined. Since leaving high school some 17 years ago I've been telling people what I've dreamt of doing, and it's only now I can see my desires taking shape.

Anyways I feel as though 2012 is my year and I'm determined to take it on, full on. I have so much I want to do and achieve and time management is going to be key to my plans but by jingos I'm going to make it happen.

So here is my TwentyTwelve, a list of things I'm doing, hope to be doing, working on now and hope to be working on more.

* Registering to sell at the Suitcase Rummage.........suitcase renovations have started, post coming soon, it's looking so freakin' cool.
* Working on up cycled, handmade wares.......you might remember some sneak peaks of bags I've been working on already.
* Moving out of the shared office with the Big V, to a large corner of the garage.....plan is in place and I hope to report movement on this within a month or so......I'm busting for the space to work creatively without interruption. But as for the Big V he will still have the office which he will then share with a growing collection of vintage clothing and finds.....I'm very lucky though to have a man who is supporting my passion to build my business.
*Plans are in place to financially to expand my collection, for markets I hope to selling at in the later half of 2012.
* Attending as many vintage, antique fairs, markets, sales, expos as I can possibly get myself along to and be amongst more of my sort of people who love all the things I love....first one is next weekend so watch out for a post.

Then there are the other things here like....
* Giveaways......one is coming soon.
* Guest posts.....drop me an email if your interested.
* Features
* Lots of fun
&
*More

Personally there are other things on the agenda
* Working on health and fitness
* Family
* Expanding the family.....yes you heard right and no I'm not, not yet anyway
&
* Studies

Image source

So it's been a bit of an epic post, but you've stayed long enough for the fireworks. From me to you my lovely Vowers I wish you all the most wonderful and splendid of nights if you are out celebrating. Depending on where you live there is always on last chance for a thrifting trip before the end the year......perhaps a party frock may be found. Anyways whatever you are doing, where ever you are my wish for you is to be safe and to be happy. May 2012 be your year and I look forward to sharing good times with you all in TwentyTwelve.

Love
Trudie
X

Rainbow of inspiration....

We popped out yesterday to run a few errands, and whilst out I popped into Spotlight to use my gift card from my parents for Christmas. I loaded up on threads, trims and ribbons and other odds and ends........oh and a cute little retractable tape measure in green. I don't often by any trims and ribbons new preferring to use thrifted odds and ends for my bag designs where I can. However I don't mind the colourful inspiration I came home with, some of these will work nicely as a contrast to genuine vintage and thrifted elements I'm using in some designs.

What's inspiring your creative efforts at the moment?

What I got.....

This Christmas the Big V and I set a budget for our Christmas presents to one another of $50 each. Even though the budget was set it hasn't stopped either of us in the past going stupidly over budget to surprise one another with one thing extra special. But what would you know this is the one year that we have both stuck to the budget without one of us going crazy.

So with that being said, the gorgeous art deco watch I tried on at Kitty's has not found a new home with me......momentary *sigh*.

However the Big V, still knows how to make me happy by fuelling my interest and love in my passion and bought me the best book.

Kelly Doust's - Minxy Vintage......How to Customise and Wear Vintage Clothing.

I've been sitting down soaking in every word whenever I get a chance. The pictures of clothing from her collection that are featured are exquisite, there is something on nearly every page to swoon over. Kelly's book and the way she writes about altering vintage items from all eras is so inspiring and a boost to ones confidence to want to give it more of a go.

Here are a few vintage lovelies I've been swooning over that Kelly has transformed.

Thank you darling I'm thoroughly enjoying my Christmas present and so pleased you bought me something to support my passion.

A tree with a bit of whimsy.....

Well the Big V has agreed that my gorgeous vintage Christmas decorations would actually add a little whimsy and childhood nostalgia to our tree. So the "Ode to Trudie Tree" has not needed to be exercised.....shame in some ways though the "Ode to Trudie Tree" was sounding rather pompous and up my self, but oh so fun.

I too conceded to the Big V that the vintage baubles weren't going to look great with our current arrangement, mind you I chose the colour scheme (I'm sure my colour choices are of now surprise to some of my Vowers).

So instead I opted for display the baubles in a vase, like so.

I'm getting rather excited about Christmas Day, to be honest I actually adore the spirit and magic in the air on Christmas Eve. Why not, join me over at my other blog in sharing a few pics and words of the magic and spirit at your place on Christmas Eve.

One last thrift before Christmas....

Seriously, I mean it. I don't think I have time for another thrifty adventure before Christmas Day. I have to get real now and get the groceries done and shortbread made and presents wrapped.

This morning my dear lovely and I went on another crazy op shop adventure, back to the same place.....yes my fav little place. As it was their last day being opened for the year and they were having a morning tea. My little Vowers had me up early this morning so I baked a simple but sweet little cake to take along with us. It was a good thing I took something along because the amount of finds the two us of walked out the door with was ridiculous.

I actually intend on vamping up this picnic basket with my suitcases for my market wares. I will keep you all up to date with my progress on these projects.

Rather cool old lamp with shade and a cool little tray.

For you Pyrex and Crown ware lovers.

Finally and likely my most favourite find of the day are these old Christmas decorations, we had these when I was a child and I just couldn't pass them up. I'm sure the Big V will scoff at the mere suggestion that they will go anywhere near his immaculately decorated tree like a department store one. So I am going to start an "Ode to Trudie Tree" that's all about me.

Some kitschy reading and inspiration....

Lookie, lookie what my darling dear friend picked up for me from the Friends of the Library Shop (a shop on the Gold Coast where the old, unpopular, out of date books go for sale to the public).

I love the pictures throughout the book, and I feel rather inspired to dismantle the book to use some of the imagery in other crafty ideas I have been inspired to do.

But then there is the odd activity in there that serves as inspiration for another little something to try.

Either way I thought I would share this kitschy coolness with, so you to could swoon over some of the pictures.

The pictures above make me day dream of one day having my little vintage caravan decked out with my wares on board for markets.

Fabric covered fridge anyone? I think the Big V would have minor heart failure if I told him I was going to do this.

You'd be a real cat to be reading this book.

Isn't she exquisite?

Inspired to track down some old paint by numbers on my thrifting adventures. I've noticed around the vintage loving bloggers and thrifters that they are making a bit of a resurgence. I'm sure I could find a nice little place for one like his.

The book covers crafts like crochet, macramé, tie-dye, sock monkeys and everything else in between that is weird and wonderful. Did you know you're never to old to have a groovy bed doll? That's what the book tells me.

Answering your questions....

I realised the other day that I have got a little behind in answering some questions from some of my lovely Vowers and that goes for some emails too. So I thought I would address some questions and comments that you've been sending my way. In the process I'll share a bit of blog love around and you might find out something about me you didn't know.

Sue from Divajools commented just yesterday about my Flea Market Finds asking if I would be looking to make something with my lovely vintage pillowcases.

Sue, yeah I'm uncertain at the moment. If I don't make some dresses, tops or skirts for Little V, I will put them towards her linen stash for when I do her room next year when she moves out from our bedroom as we currently co-sleep. Thank you so much for popping in as always. Please Vowers pop on over and visit Sue she is so wonderfully creative and talented.

Nelly commented on one of my Funk It Up on a Friday posts:
Nelly said: Bet you used to model. I think frock on Friday was any frock at all. So fock on anyway you like xx

Nelly, no I haven't ever really modelled. I did help out once doing a one off runway show for an in store parade, but that's the extent of it. I did have glamour photos done many years ago, just for myself and the owners of the business where I had them done were happy with the results and asked to use my pics for their promotional materials, but seriously that is it. Thank you honey for the compliment, but seriously it has never been something I have ever entertained. Vowers once again make sure you pop by Nelly's, she is actually selling off some of her vintage goodies at the moment.

Finally Vix commented on my Flea Market Finds, a plenty post.
Vix said: Wowsers! I'd have snapped up all three of those beauties. That skirt is fabulous. thank goodness it's a 30inch waist, it's saved me having to fly over and wrestle it out of your pretty hands.
Is that cravat a Tootal?
Dying to hear how your trip to Kitty's emporium went. x

To finally answer your question it is not a Tootal. The label shows a diamond shaped with PLS inside of it. Oh and Vix, please feel free to try and come and rip something from my hands. I'd let you rip it off me, to have a chance to sit and pick your brains about your thrifting adventures.

Please dear Vowers pop on over to Vix's she the epitome of a vintage goddess and her flare and vintage stylings will sure to leave you weak at the knees.

There you go dear Vowers, I promise I will be getting back on top of things after Christmas, I have many wonderful plans for next year and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you all.

Flea Market Finds, small haul before Christmas.....

I popped out yesterday morning for my second thrifting trip of the week. Funny thing is I rarely pop into an op shop on a weekend these days, being a SAHM/WAHM I tend to do my thrifting during the week. I was actually on a mission yesterday morning to find something specific and I had no such luck coming home with the goods I was after.......but I didn't leave empty handed.

So here are just a few little finds, as I try to wined down my thrifting before Christmas.

Top left - sweet little dish and cup with floral, which are going to my friend
Top right - purple floral pillowcases
Bottom - is an old Mikasa sugar bowl
I also picked up some old cloth bound books for 50 cents each which I think I am going to have a full around with turning into journals.....but then again the do look nice on my bookcase, oh well, we will see.

I probably should be truthful and admit that I might not wined down my thrifting until after Wednesday, as my favourite little oppy is having a morning tea, party day thing I think I will attend.

I'm linking up with Sophie at Her Library Adventures like every other Sunday, so sit back relax and pop on over and check out everyone's finds from this week.

Friday night happenings and guest posting....

Good evening Vowers, I hope the evening finds you well. Firstly after a slight delay and shall we say technical difficulties, I'm excited to let you all know that I am guest posting for the first time ever over at Suger Coat It. I'm over there sharing some thrifting secrets.

So please pop on over and check out my tips and say hello the ever so wonderful Melissa.

In late Friday night news, talks with the Big V tonight now see us talking about how I can commandeer a corner of the garage for more creative workspace away from little Vowers hands. I'll still have a small area in our office where I can concentrate on my writing and blogging......but it means more space. I'm rather excited about these plans, as it will allow me to spread my wings further with my creative plans.

When all else fails, what do you do?

You craft. Well that's what I have ended up doing, this wasn't the post I had intended for today, nor has my day turned out how I had intended.....but not to worry. I have a crazy amount of projects to finish or ones to start. So I have been making most of some time today to do just that.

I'm playing around with two new clutch designs, ferreting around in some (yes just some) of my vintage button collection for inspiration. Making fabric yo-yo's and finishing off Master V's Christmas shorts.

I popped out this morning in hope to find a myself a Christmas present of the vintage kind in the shape of a dress, but no such luck. I did however come home with a cool wrap skirt and a sweet little something for a baby boy, which I will show you once I get more of this crafting out of the way.

Have you got any Christmas crafts or sewing that needs to be done?

Fiddling and tweaking on a Monday....

It's a day of fiddling and tweaking today. As you can see the blog is getting a bit of a makeover and tweak. You may of noticed at some point Friday my header went all wacky and fragmented. I am not tech savvy by any extent of the imagination, so several emails and calls to friends and blog buddies and it looks like some blogger changes in the last few days made my header incompatible with the new changes. So with a little bit of help we are now playing around with a slightly new look, so please bare with me through these changes, as we're not quite there yet.

Aside from tweaking with this here blog today, I have been fiddling around with some sewing and getting the little Vowers Christmas outfits sewn up (well started anyway). But I have also finally got appropriate coloured thread and finished another clutch handbag. I must say I am really thrilled with this one. This one has an extra special factor to it with the vintage hand painted wooden button cover. So whoever ends up with this lovely down the track will be able to make use of the button cover as an accessory on their clothing and this clutch.

Do you have any Christmas craft or sewing projects you are needed to get on top of?

Flea Market Finds and some kitschy fun....

I have been in Brisbane for a end of year blogger meet up today, thanks to Hello Blogger Events. All the Vowers in this family headed out today and joined me on the trip to Brisbane. Little V came with me to the meet up and Master V and the Big V went off looking for some fun and mischief.

Anyway I thought I better finally show you this little number I scored a few weeks ago I have been waiting for an occasion to share with you all, as well as linking up for Flea Market Finds this week.

Perfect vintage dress, with some bowed ballet flats I bought retail, blue nail polish (the Big V is shuddering, as the toes are yellow.......oh the humanity). I'm felt perfectly lovely, having a chance to put something nice on for a special day out. The pic isn't the greatest as it's rainy and severely overcast, so lightening isn't great.

But before I sign off I best show you some more of my flea market finds my from Friday's crazy op shop trip with my friend.

Pretty kitsch huh? Perfect for a kitschy BBQ wouldn't you say? I came home with other randomness, that I hope to show you when I get a chance.

As I mentioned before about linking up for Flea Market Finds, make sure you pop over to Sophie's to check out everyone's finds this week.

Saturday night ramble....

Hello darling Vowers, firstly let me apologise for the header looking all wacky. I'm trying to get to the bottom of it, but I am not tech savvy and I'm trying to get some assistance from others on the matter. I'm hoping to get some crafting and sewing done this evening then some primping and preening in preparation for a blogger meet up in Brisbane tomorrow.

I've got a few thrifted and vintage dresses lined up for consideration in the morning, which I have been keeping up my sleeve to show off to you all when I get a chance. Whilst I wait to put Little V down to sleep for the night (hold on I joke, there's no night about it, she wakes several times each night).

Anyways I digress I'm here to tell you that my darling friend has blogged a couple of posts today to show her finds from our op shop visit Friday afternoon. So please pop on over and say hi to Caroline at Things I Do at her new blog. While you're over there make sure you check out her other post showing off the thrifted and vintage gifts I got her for her birthday and the special find I picked up at Kittys for her.

Ahhhh damn it, it's late now so I'm just enjoying one of these.....pic from here. Hope you're enjoying your evening and have something fun planned for your days tomorrow, hope to see you all later tomorrow afternoon for Flea Market Finds.

Crazy thrifting afternoon.....

Yesterday afternoon after my little Vowers were up from their naps, we headed over to my gorgeous friends house for her birthday for a coffee and to shower her with vintage and thrifted birthday presents. When she posts about them over at her new blog, I will link so you can all see my little extra something else I picked up from Kittys last weekend for her.

So after coffee and presents what else is there to do then to go op shopping of course. I took my girlfriend to my most favourite little place. My girlfriend had said she had been there once before and said she found nothing. I assured her that it must have been a freak day because there is always cool stuff there.

So what do you know it was a crazy afternoon, of laughter, mayhem, awesome finds, freebies and all sorts......but honestly I knew my little place wouldn't disappoint. Here are just a few of my finds from yesterday.

There you go, I also came home with:
- some kitschy stuff perfect for summer and cocktails
- a green paisley jacket
- a busted up and bloody knee for Master V......a story for another time
and some other secret odds and ends. I'll pop in over the weekend with more pics. Wishing you all a happy start to your weekends wherever you are.

Love....

With my Aunts passing a few months ago some little bits and pieces are going to various family members. I saw this at my parents place the other day, after their most recent trip to see my Nanna (dad's mum). How sweet is this and what a lovely reminder.

Much love to all my lovely Vowers.
X

A trip to Kittys

I have been on the lookout for some old suitcases for a couple of weeks now. I've been working towards plans to get myself along to the Suitcase Rummage in Brisbane in the new year. I'm hoping to sell some of my handmade and up-cycled wares I've been working on as well as a few selected clothing pieces. So with that being said I've got some big ideas in place to convert some old suitcases into little shop fronts for displaying my wares. So come Saturday afternoon, after my little Vowers had their naps, I gave the Big V the word to get ready we're going up the mountain, to pay Kittys slice of heaven a visit. I had the heads up that Kitty had a selection of cases, so what better excuse to finally get myself up the mountain for a visit and wander through the store.

Knowing all to well that the store would have so many lovely things to adore and investigate I sent the Big V and Master V off for a drive, as I certainly didn't want Master V's two year old wandering hands finding the most precious item in the store and attempting to give me heart failure. So I strapped Little V into the carrier and off I went in past the lovely lavender in the garden, up the stairs and onto the veranda. Straight away I was staring at a stack of cases up to chest height to ponder. There is a vintage drinks trolley, crockery, typewriter all begging to be looked at adored.

Kitty wasn't at the store when I arrived but she had mentioned to Sue that I might be dropping in. Sue came out on the veranda and straight away knew who I was and straight away we were full steam into talking about all this loveliness before me. She then invites me to have a peak at special something they picked up that morning, a vintage baby carriage.......oh my goodness, I'm imagining me pushing Little V down the street in it.

We head back upstairs and I try to seek out each corner, where I appreciate something new......ohhhh, ahhhhh, isn't that the sweetest, oh my goodness I've always wanted one of these, oh I'm coming back soon, I'm saving my pennies for that, are all words and phrases to come out of my mouth. All whilst I'm meant to be searching out a special little something for a friends birthday this week as well.

THEN I see the cabinet on the counter, I see a watch, not just any watch a gorgeous art deco watch. I mention to Sue that I've been on the lookout for a vintage watch because I can't find anything modern I like. Sue then just proceeds to take it out of the cabinet and it's original case and slips it over my wrist. That is when I had one of those emotional experiences where you actually really feel the beauty and history of something. I say to Sue, I think you're going to need to take it off me it's so beautiful I think I'm going to cry. When the Big V arrives back to the store, Sue and I both mention the watch and hint that Santa might decide I have been a really good girl this year and deserve an art deco watch. So I guess it's a case of wait and see on that front.

I don't have any fashion scores to share with you this time, because with Little V strapped to me I couldn't try anything on. But not to worry this mumma will be visiting again to lust over more of those pretties you see the lovely Kitty showing off. But you must be wanting to see what I came home with?

These are going to be perfect for my plans, and I'm and the lookout for one more now.

I also bought a little something for my friends birthday but I can't show you that just yet because she follows my blog and her birthday is later this week. But the lovely necklace you see above came home with me thanks to the ever so lovely Sue who gifted it to me.

So there you have my visit to Kittys, I really am so lucky to live so close to a such a wonderful mind field of vintage. I had such a wonderful time looking around and thank Sue once again for making me feel so welcomed and showing me so many lovely items and helping select a present for my girlfriend.

This is an epic post today so I best be on my way and draft my second letter to Santa about that art deco watch.

Flea Market Finds, a plenty....

You might of seen my post on Friday from my thrifting trip out in the morning, where I showed you some of my finds already.......I just couldn't wait. So here are a few other pieces, I wanted to share with you as well. I had hoped I would of had time this weekend with the Big V home to dress up and style some shots but that sort of time has eluded me. So I hope you won't mind these shots for now until I have time to play dress ups.

Seriously how can this vintage blouse not make you smile with that floral.

Now this lovely is rather reminiscent of something we all saw on the goddess Vix this week. But just so we are all clear I haven't ducked over to UK over the weekend to accoust her for it. My lovely vintage wool skirt was made in New Zealand "Cinnamon" label, 30 inch waist.......if you're wanting to know. The fringe is in perfect condition.

Finally a little something for the fellas a vintage paisley cravat from England.

Such a shame I haven't played dress ups for you, but I have been busy thrifting my heart out Friday and Saturday. In fact yesterday afternoon saw the Big V and I take the little Vowers for a drive up the mountain to pay Kittys shop a little visit. I had a wonderful time, all of which I will post about within the next two days. But I must tell you now whilst I was there I had one of those take your breath away moments.

As always I'm linking up with the lovely Sophie over at Her Library Adventures, so pop on over and check out everyone else's finds from the week.